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Humans of the House Podcast

You know what a politician sounds like on the job. But once they leave office, that’s when they can share what’s truly on their minds. Join host Sabreena Delhon as she speaks with former Members of Parliament, to hear, in their own words, what this job is really like. Their stories are woven together in a six-part series that explores an MPs path to politics, why they left, and what it cost them to serve their communities.

You know what a politician sounds like on the job. But once they leave office, that’s when they can share what’s truly on their minds. Join host Sabreena Delhon as she speaks with former Members of Parliament, to hear, in their own words, what this job is really like. Their stories are woven together in a six-part series that explores an MPs path to politics, why they left, and what it cost them to serve their communities.

All Episodes

Humans of the House: Trailer

Humans of the House: Trailer

In Humans of the House, we are on a journey that explores the human side of politics. Prepare to be surprised, maybe even moved, by the real lives of Members of Parliament.

Humans of the House Episode 1: You Wanna Run?

Humans of the House Episode 1: You Wanna Run?

Would you ever run for political office? For many of us, “politician” is the last job title we’d ever consider.

Humans of the House Episode 2: Show Up and Glow Up

Humans of the House Episode 2: Show Up and Glow Up

So, you won an election and are officially a Member of Parliament. Now what?

Humans of the House Episode 3: The Best/Worst Place I Ever Worked

Humans of the House Episode 3: The Best/Worst Place I Ever Worked

What is Parliament Hill like as a workplace?

Humans of the House Episode 4: Unwritten Rules

Humans of the House Episode 4: Unwritten Rules

Humans of the House Episode 5: I'm Going to Say the F Word

Humans of the House Episode 5: I'm Going to Say the F Word

What does it take for MPs to make a difference? We hear from former MPs about the changes they pushed for, and what it cost them.

Humans of the House Episode 6: Was It Worth It?

Humans of the House Episode 6: Was It Worth It?

We’ve come to the final chapter of an MP’s civic journey. What is it like to leave office?

Humans of the House BONUS Episode: The "Reluctant" Politician

Humans of the House BONUS Episode: The "Reluctant" Politician

In this special bonus episode, we celebrate and reflect upon the tenth anniversary of the bestseller book, Tragedy in the Commons, written by Samara Centre for Democracy co-founders, Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan. Samara Centre CEO Sabreena Delhon hosts this conversation to ask, what has changed? What has stayed the same? Where are the fault lines in Canadian democracy?

Humans of the House has received national media coverage and has been the #1 show in the Government category for several weeks on Apple Podcasts where it has also been featured as a New & Noteworthy Special Series. Humans of the House has also been a Best Podcast This Week and a top Government show on Amazon Music. The Samara Centre for Democracy was proud to receive a Silver Canadian Online Publishing Award in the Consumer category for Humans of the House. Humans of the House is also a national finalist in the best podcast category of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) 2024 awards.

Humans of the House Accredited by the Law Societies of British Columbia and Ontario.

Please direct media inquiries to: media@samaracentre.ca.

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Humans of the House features interviews with: 

  • Hon. Scott Brison, Progressive Conservative, Kings-Hants (1997-2003); Liberal, Kings-Hants (2003-2019)
  • Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Liberal, Whitby (2015-2019); Independent, Whitby (2019)
  • James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre (2019-2021)
  • Matt DeCourcey, Liberal, Fredericton (2015-2019)
  • Cheryl Hardcastle, NDP, Windsor-Tecumseh (2015-2019)
  • Hon. Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill (2008-2021)
  • Hon. Catherine McKenna, Liberal, Ottawa Centre (2015-2021)
  • Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Liberal, Winnipeg Centre, 2015-2019
  • Hon. Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Milton (2008-2019)
  • Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi-Baie James-Nunavik-Eeyou (2011-2019)
  • Kennedy Stewart, NDP, Burnaby South (2011-2018)
  • Adam Vaughan, Liberal, Spadina-Fort York (2014-2021)

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The Samara Centre has been studying the experience of federal parliamentarians since 2008. Humans of the House is part of the MP Exit Interview Project, the first ever systematic series of exit interviews with former Canadian parliamentarians. To date over 150 MPs have been interviewed and their insights have been shared in numerous publications, most notably in the best-selling Tragedy in the Commons and Real House Lives. 

The Samara Centre for Democracy and SSENC/RESCC have partnered on curriculum-connected teaching resources based on Humans of the House. Click here to access free accessible teaching resources for your classroom!

Humans of the House is produced by Media Girlfriends. It is funded by the Government of Canada and Rosamond Ivey.